Fair play to Gazza, a couple of excellent stops towards the end to atone for his error and he made some very good saves in the first half. His error was all down to concentration as he had nothing to do of note for the first 35 minutes of the 2nd half.
FWIW, I've watched a good handful of u21 matches this season and now the season has concluded. Thought I would share my views on each player who has featured. Paulo Gazzaniga - Todays game featured world class saves and a world class howler. The lad has something. If we sign Steklenberg then I think he should go out on loan and I see no reason why clubs would not be interested. Dom Gape - Has had to fill in at right back for the latter part of the season and has not been able to show his best. Personally I don't think he will make it with us. Alfie Jones - Looks a real prospect, nice and composed on the ball, reads the game well. Have been impressed since he made the jump from u18s Ollie Cook - Doesn't quite have the same composure as Jones. Still has another year at this level to impress, but i'm not sure Jake Vokins - 15 years old and has a decent left peg. Plenty of time to mature Harrison Reed - At u21 level you would like to see a little bit more from him on the ball. Can be a little bit sloppy with his passing. Reading of the game and energy levels are always spot on. Either a regular sub or loan move for next season. Armani Little - He has the passing range and the control and is slowly learning the positional side. Looks a good young talent and will likely be u21 regular next season. Jake Hesketh - Without checking the stats I would say he has been involved in 3/4 of the goals this season. Always looking for the ball and bright in possession. For me, the player is there we're just waiting for his body to catch up. Would like to see him replace Juanmi in the pecking order. Josh Sims - Similar to Jake, although younger...in that physically he is at a disadvantage at this level. I think from seeing glimpses of him at u18, its been a disappointing season for him, but there is ability there. Olufela Olomola - Scored loads of goals for the u18s as a central striker, but has had to adapt to wide role for the u21s, which I don't think is his best role, despite his pace and strength. Ron looks a fan after giving him a spot on the bench recently. Sam Gallagher - Woeful MK Dons loan spell, poor displays for u21s on his return. Which included a terrible penalty miss and you started to think the game was up, but he has come back fighting and the goals have started to flow. Touch and hold up play are still an issue, but there is something about this lad which is worth persisting with. Worth noting that Saints have had terrible luck with long term injuries. Bevis Mugabi, Josh Debayo, Will Wood, Marcus Barnes & Ryan Seager are all long term absences. Saints current right back situation could well have given Mugabi a chance, had he been able to be fit all season and Seager had just scored his first senior goal on loan at Crewe after another decent goal haul for u21s in the first half of the season. Isgrove, McQueen, Stephens, Turnbull & McCarthy are all out on loan. I would give McCarthy the biggest chance of getting into the first team. The others may well get permanent moves to teams in the lower leagues.
Still think Jack Stephens will make it with us - Koeman is a big fan of him. As for Sam Gallagher, it appears he's slowly forcing his way back in. He's been training with the seniors lately, which can only be a good sign. Pleased for him, he's had a difficult 18months or so with one thing or another!
I know he's more first team nowadays, but what does everyone make of the lack of playing time for JWP? He's facing tough competition but seems to be getting less and less pitch time. Would a loan move have been better for his development this season?
Not really, he is still getting game time but not as a starter. Once it's sorted if he plays in the Class spot or the Davis spot it should be clearer
He is young, he is still learning, his dead ball delivery is second to none, he may not be a starter yet, but as a squad option he is well worth keeping on, if he could find the knack to score a few goal:s in open play he would get more time on the pitch.
If Saints hadn't been confident of JWP playing a larger role I don't think they would have given him an extension. As it is, I think he is getting enough playing time. He usually gets 15-20 minutes off the bench, and a handful of starts. Between Euro and Cup matches next year he should be okay. There's only so much time a team can give you. At some point it's up to you to force your way in. I really thought JWP would take off this year, but he didn't. I think he made some improvements in his defense, and I think he is also more assertive in his play in terms of running the game. I think that's one reason why he's handy off the bench. RK can send him out with instructions as to how he wants to finish things out. Hopefully, with a bit more experience JWP will understand for himself what to do and when. I see that as his eventual role. Sort of a midfield general/playmaker as opposed to an attacking mid or defensive mid.
Still plenty of time to learn when you are only 21. He won't get quicker or suddenly develop silky skills, but James has that extra yard in his brain.
I have high hopes for Alfie Jones. If things don't work out for him, he has a name that sounds like an West End musical singer.
I'm sorry I missed seeing my friend's grandson introduced with the under 9s, but she has just shown me a photo. There was an official photo of him sitting down signing his first contract...such a serious expression on his face....so cute. Oscar McCulloch....listen out for him in a few years.
Was this before the Palace game Fran? There was a group of lads playing a little game and then being paraded around.... as usual with our audio systems, I couldn't hear who it was.
